Suspension with silk fabric?
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What’s called aerial silk is not made of nylon, not silk. There are different kinds of aerial silks available, depending on how stretchy you want it to be, whether it should be fire-proof, etc.
Aerial yoga is indeed popular, using the same fabric aerialist artists use.I’ve used similar fabric for comfortable inverted suspensions, and it’s quite nice, especially when used instead of a hip/waist rope – a rope can still be added on top for visual effect, but the model’s weight was supported by the fabric.
The only occurrence of suspending someone with real silk ribbons I saw was several years ago in London, performed by the Leather Family at one of the LAMs; it was quite safe as silk is very strong, but it was painful for the model, as the ribbons were cutting into the skin – it was a short suspension, so it was bearable, but just.
I do Aerial Yoga! I do self suspension with rope too. i find that the aerial ‘silks’ can bunch up and be just as painful as a twisted rope in suspension, but if you are careful to keep the material smooth, it can allow for a tender bunny to experience suspension without rope bite. Just make sure that the material folds away from the skin, so that the parts touching the skin are not bunched up.
Yep, I’m an aerialist who also does self-suspension/rigging. Love mixing fabric and rope for a zen affect. Nice to cradled the head in a fabric cocoon or drap the material over the suspended person. I also like having a hammock of aerial silk to facilitate staying airborn for dupe rational periods and the diversity of textures etc. I recommend at least 7 yards of fabric. I got 5 yards and found it slightly on the short side. Have fun!
I took my first aerial yoga class yesterday and really enjoyed it. I did find some of the movements painful until I adjusted the fabric – so comments above about the fabric bunching in a “bad way” need to be addressed if you are attempting a comfortable suspension.
I’m in the process of shopping for fabric now. My instructor recommended Aircat. I’m waiting to hear back about length needed based on ceiling height. I used to rock climb so I have the hardware and rigging technique covered.
The most difficult decision is color! LOL.
My husband and I have been doing some aerial silk acrobatics classes. My teacher has a bull rope there, and helped me compare the same suspension techniques on rope and silks. The silks are far less painful and more forgiving. Crotch suspensions are not weird on the silks.
A possibly more interesting bit is the culture. Kids in middle school are encouraged to do self suspensions 15 feet up on the silks with dynamic 8-10 foot drops, with 1 demo and minimal supervision before trying hard stuff. Being inverted for prolonged periods is just something folks get used to on day 1. Pain is a given that all the vanilla class goers just get used to. Dynamics (big rolls, twists, and drops in the air) are totally the norm – fear just doesn’t seem to be on the menu. The level of core, arm, and leg strength that is expected, for you to be able to play is, frankly, awesome. Coming into rope with that background could be pretty amazing.
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